he knew that the future is about protecting our environment and preserving our planet for generations to come. john knew that the future of the house is strengthened by fellow staff members working in a bipartisan way. john has always respected the role -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman will suspend. the house is not in order. the gentlewoman may continue. ms. pelosi: thank you, madam speaker. john has always respected the role-played by our staff on the education committee and on the natural resources committee and the offices of the democratic leader and as my role as speaker of the house and as our distinguished speaker's role as speaker today. indeed, the staff look to him for leadership just as members look to him for guidance. in that spirit, this afternoon, my colleagues the speaker, thank you, mr. speaker, for making this possible, the speaker and i will honor john lawrence with theon w. mccormack award of excellence on which as declared by former majority leader, then majority leader carl albert in 1970, quote, the name of the house employee who performs the most va